Department for Transport

Travel: Coronavirus

Baroness McGregor-Smith: To ask Her Majesty's Government what benefit analysis they have undertaken in regards to the quarantine policy for international arrivals.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Throughout the pandemic, we have brought in the right measures at the right time based on scientific advice. Scientific advice can give us estimates of the incidence of coronavirus internationally and domestically, and Ministers decide how to respond to the risk of imported cases based on this advice. The Government conducted an assessment of the impact before initial implementation and these measures are subject to review every 28 days and supported by an Impact Summary, to ensure they are in line with the latest scientific evidence and remain effective and necessary.

Public Transport: Coronavirus

Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what their current advice is on the use of public transport during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Our current advice on the use of public transport is available in our guidance on gov.uk. We advise people to help control coronavirus and travel safely by walking and cycling, if they can. Where this is not possible, they should use public transport or drive. We also advise passengers to observe social contact rules, wash or sanitise their hands regularly, maintain social distancing and avoid the busiest routes and times.

Travel: Coronavirus

Baroness McGregor-Smith: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of levels of compliance with the quarantine rules when determining international travel requirements.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Throughout the pandemic, the Government has brought in the right measures at the right time, based on scientific advice. Scientific advice can give us estimates of the incidence of coronavirus internationally and domestically, and Ministers decide how to respond to the risk of imported cases based on this advice. Self-isolation, if complied with, is an effective method of reducing imported cases of COVID-19, and is an important part of the Government’s international travel response to the pandemic. Enforcement and compliance with border measures is a pivotal strand of this response. The Home Office has pressed ahead with improvements to enforcement and compliance, including increasing the number of contact tracing calls conducted by Public Health England. The need for border measures is reviewed every 28 days, to ensure that they remain in line with the latest scientific evidence, and that they continue to be effective and necessary. Each review takes into account a range of factors and is guided by the scientific advice.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Hydrogen Advisory Council

Lord Oates: To ask Her Majesty's Government how often the Hydrogen Advisory Council intends to meet.

Lord Callanan: The inaugural meeting of the Hydrogen Advisory Council (HAC) was on 20th July 2020. It is expected to meet quarterly for the next two years. We will schedule future meetings in due course.

Hydrogen: Foreign Investment in UK

Lord Oates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of investment provided for hydrogen strategies announced by other countries.

Lord Callanan: We are closely monitoring international strategies, including strategic drivers for interest in hydrogen, levels of ambition, detail of policy support and the level and type of funding committed. This informs our own approach to developing hydrogen in the UK context. We plan to publish a UK Hydrogen Strategy in early 2021. The Strategy will include discussion around the costs associated with expansion of the UK hydrogen economy, and how these might be met.

Hydrogen: Capital Investment

Lord Oates: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the level of investment that would be required for a UK hydrogen strategy.

Lord Callanan: The Government is committed to the development of hydrogen as a strategic decarbonised energy carrier for the UK. We plan to publish a Hydrogen Strategy in early 2021. The Strategy will include discussion around the costs associated with expansion of the UK hydrogen economy, and how these might be met.

Climate Change: Citizens' Juries

Lord Pendry: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to establish a citizen’s assembly on climate policy.

Lord Callanan: Achieving our net zero target must be a shared endeavour between governments, businesses and individuals. Looking ahead, it will be crucially important to engage the public on this challenge. The Government has invited the public to shape policies on climate change through mechanisms such as consultations and deliberative workshops, and we regularly survey on public attitudes on climate change. We welcome the Climate Assembly UK final report and will be looking closely at its findings. We will continue to engage the public as we develop our plans for reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

Job Creation

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to create new jobs on low carbon (1) projects, and (2) infrastructure schemes.

Lord Callanan: The UK has over 460,000 jobs in low carbon businesses and their supply chains. By 2030, the UK’s low carbon economy has the potential to grow at up to four times the rate of GDP growth and support up to 2 million jobs. At my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer’s economic update, the government announced £3 billion of green investment to create thousands of green jobs and upgrade the energy efficiency of domestic and public buildings. The Green Homes Grant could support more than 100,000 green jobs, upgrade more than 600,000 homes across the country, and save households hundreds of pounds a year on their energy bills. The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme will fund shovel-ready projects that could support up to 33,000 green jobs in sectors that will be key to delivering our net zero ambitions. On 30 June, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister made further announcements in support of green jobs, including a £40 million Green Recovery Challenge Fund to boost local conservation projects and create 3,000 new jobs, and safeguard a further 2,000.

Aerospace Industry

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the devolved institutions about enhancing the aerospace sector in the UK.

Lord Callanan: We are working closely with the devolved administrations, including through regular Ministerial calls. We are also inviting the devolved administrations to participate in the Aerospace Growth Partnership (the sector council) so they can hear first-hand the activities and priorities for the sector and will be able to contribute accordingly.

Aerospace Industry

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the future of the aerospace sector in the UK.

Lord Callanan: The aerospace sector is being supported with over £8.5 billion support through the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility, grants for research and development, loan guarantees, and support for aerospace exports. The Government works with industry through the Aerospace Growth Partnership to deliver the UK’s strategy for aerospace. This includes a commitment of £1.95 billion of funding for research and development, matched by industry, over 13 years up to 2026. Funding of £125 million through the Future Flight Challenge will also support research on electric and autonomous flight technology, positioning the UK aerospace sector to transition to cleaner forms of aviation.

Aerospace Industry: Employment

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of support required to retain jobs in the aerospace industry across the UK.

Lord Callanan: The aerospace sector is being supported with over £8.5 billion of support through the Bank of England’s Covid Corporate Financing Facility, grants for research and development, loan guarantees, and support for aerospace exports. My Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer has extended the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to the end of October, allowing aerospace employers to ensure they retain as many employees as possible. In addition, and the Chancellor launched the Job Retention Bonus, which will to help the sector to retain furloughed workers.In addition, to support employment, the Government is investing a total of £1.6 billion to scale-up employment support schemes, training, and apprenticeships to help people looking for a job, including in the aerospace sector. The investment will include:A £2000 payment to businesses for each new apprentice they hire under the age of 25. This is in addition to the existing £1,000 payment the Government already provides for new 16 to 18-year-old apprentices and those aged under 25 with an Education, Health and Care Plan.£111 million funding to triple the scale of traineeships in 2020-21 ensuring more young people have access to high quality training.£17 million of funding to triple the number of sector-based work academy placements in 2020-21.Nearly £900 million to double the number of work coaches to 27,000.An extra £32 million investment in the National Careers Service benefiting over a quarter of a million more young people.

Service Industries: Young People

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to provide financial support to young people in the services sector.

Lord Callanan: In his Summer Economic Update, my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a £1.6bn plan to support jobs focussing on skills and young people whose employment prospects are expected to be disproportionately affected by the economic fallout of Coronavirus.We have aligned our skills and training offers to priority areas for economic recovery, including the services sector, and we are investing over £500m in a package of support to ensure young people have the skills and training to go on to high quality, secure and fulfilling employment. This includes:A new payment to support organisations that take on new apprentices between 1 August 2020 and 31 January 2021 - £2,000 for each new apprentice they hire aged under 25, and £1,500 for each newly recruited apprentice aged 25 and over.£111m to triple the scale of traineeships: with three times more funding available to providers in 2020-21 to support 30,000 new places.£101m for a brand new offer to give 18 and 19-year-old school and college leavers the opportunity to study high value Level 2 and 3 courses when there are not employment opportunities available to them.£32m over two years to help 269,000 more people receive advice from the National Careers Service.£17m to triple the number of sector-based work academy programme placements in 2020/21, enough funding to support an extra 40,000 job seekers with additional training opportunities and the chance of a job.We have also launched a new £2 billion Kickstart Scheme to create hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people across the country. Those aged 16-24, claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment, will be eligible. Funding available for each six-month job placement will cover 100% of the National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week and employers will be able to top this wage up.

Trade Associations: Economic Growth

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the role (1) chambers of commerce, and (2) trade associations, can play in supporting the UK economic growth.

Lord Callanan: Chambers of commerce and trade associations play an important role in supporting the UK’s economic growth. In June, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State led a series of roundtables, bringing together businesses, business representative groups and leading academics from the UK to consider the measures needed to support the UK’s economic recovery from Covid-19. This was attended by the British Chambers of Commerce, the national representative body of 52 Accredited Chambers of Commerce across the UK and Energy UK, the trade association for British energy. There is also regular engagement with the British Chambers of Commerce at a variety of senior levels within the Department.

Attorney General

Offences against Children

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask Her Majesty's Government how much compensation has been paid by the Crown Prosecution Service to victims ofgroup-based child sexual exploitation due to a failure to prosecute their attackers in each of the last five years; and how many such casesthere have been.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: There have been no cases where compensation has been paid by the Crown Prosecution Service to victims of group-based child sexual exploitation due to a failure to prosecute their attackers in the last five years.

Department for Education

Schools: Coronavirus

Lord Randall of Uxbridge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they will make to any disparities between the length of time schools have been closed closed as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak when implementing the timetable the 2020/21 GCSE and A-level exams.

Baroness Berridge: The department recognises that students due to sit exams and assessments next year will have experienced disruption to their education due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The government is committed to working closely with Ofqual to ensure that next year’s exam series proceeds fairly, and students receive the qualifications they deserve. Ofqual has already consulted on a range of possible adaptations to GCSE, AS and A level exams and assessments next year on a subject-by-subject basis, and has announced some changes that will reduce pressure on teaching time, and help ensure those young people taking exams next year have the same opportunities to progress as the students before them.As for the timing of exams next year, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, asked Ofqual in June to consider a short delay to the GCSE, A and AS level exam timetable in 2021, to free up additional teaching time. We are continuing to work with Ofqual, the exam boards, regulators in the devolved administrations, and groups representing schools, colleges and higher education to consider the best approach, and decisions will be confirmed as soon as possible.The government has also provided a £1 billion fund of catch up premium designed to support schools in making up for some lost learning time.

Ministry of Justice

European Convention on Human Rights

Lord Anderson of Swansea: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to amend their obligations under the European Convention of Human Rights.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The UK is committed to the European Convention on Human Rights.

Treasury

Imports: VAT

Lord Strasburger: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Agnew of Oulton on 14 September (HL7716), whether they will now answer the question put, namely (1) what was the cost to the Exchequer of misuse of Low Value Consignment Relief (LVCR) over the entire period that misuse took place, and (2) what was the number of retailers who did pay VAT and went out of business as a result of the misuse of LVCR by others.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The Government does not have an estimate of the cost to the Exchequer of the misuse of Low Value Consignment Relief (LVCR). There is also no estimate of the number of compliant retailers that went out of business because of the misuse of LVCR by others. The figure of £90 million additional yield for 2012/13 resulting from the removal of LVCR given in the previous answer is an indication of the extent of the misuse in the Channel Islands. The total yield for this measure over the period 2012/13–2016/17 was £500 million.

Airports: Non-domestic Rates

Baroness Randerson: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review their decision not to extend relief from business rates to airports in England.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: The Government recognises the challenging times facing the aviation industry as a result of COVID-19. Firms experiencing difficulties as a result of COVID-19 can draw upon the unprecedented package of measures announced by the Chancellor, including schemes to raise capital, flexibilities with tax bills, and financial support for employees. The Government will continue to engage closely with the sector on the impact of COVID-19.

Infrastructure: Coronavirus

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the economic cost of the COVID-19 pandemic, what plans they have (1) to halt, or (2) to reconsider, national infrastructure projects that have not yet received development consent orders.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: Decisions on future projects will be made as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) and National Infrastructure Strategy due later in the Autumn. In the announcement[1] of the CSR the Chancellor committed to levelling up economic opportunity across all nations and regions of the country by investing in infrastructure, innovation and people. [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-launches-comprehensive-spending-review

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Lord Pendry: To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the release of ONS figures which found a decline of 695,000 employees on payrolls since March, what plans they have to extend the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Lord Agnew of Oulton: Building on the action taken in the face of the immediate threat posed by the virus, the second phase of the Government’s response to the pandemic began earlier this year with the targeted Plan for Jobs. This places emphasis on job creation, as well as protection through the Job Retention Bonus, which specifically encourages firms to keep on workers they previously furloughed. It also supports jobseekers with direct help to find work and to gain the skills they need to gain employment. Now that the economy is opening up, the Government has introduced a Winter Economy Plan including the new Job Support Scheme, which targets support to those businesses that need it most: focusing on those that are being affected by COVID-19 and who can support their employees doing some work, but that need more time for demand to recover.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Nigeria: Violence

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to theanswerby Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 21 September (HL Deb, cols 1589–1592), what assessment they have made of thekey factors that have led toatrocities in Nigeria; what assessment they have made of the impact of (1) climate change, and (2) land scarcity, as the main cause rather than extremist ideology; if so, on what evidence they base that assessment; what steps they are taking to investigate the motives of the perpetrators of violence in that country and to bring them to justice;and what plans they have(a) to support a proposal for a UN monitoring mechanism for Nigeria, and (b) to assist Nigeria in its response to such atrocities.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government assesses that the drivers of violent attacks in Nigeria vary throughout the country. Competition over resources, including land, worsened by climate change, is a root cause of the intercommunal violence that occurs across many states in Nigeria. We do not assess that extremist ideology is a root cause of most intercommunal violence. In North East Nigeria, we assess that the extremist ideology of Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa drives violence, although the motivation for individuals joining these groups is diverse.These assessments are informed by the team at the British High Commission in Abuja who are in contact with a diverse range of ethnoreligious communities from across the country, the Nigerian authorities and other experts including academics and NGOs. Additionally, we fund respected international and local research partners in Nigeria to monitor conflict and security dynamics across the country.We condemn all incidents of intercommunal violence in Nigeria and are working with Nigeria to respond to the root causes of the violence. We provided technical support to the Nigerian Government for the development of the National Livestock Transformation Plan. We are also developing a new conflict, security and justice programme, which aims to reduce levels of intercommunal violence through the development of more effective conflict-management systems. We will continue to encourage the Nigerian Government to take urgent action to protect those at risk of intercommunal violence, bring perpetrators to justice and implement long-term solutions that address the root causes of violence and meet the needs of all communities.We also condemn all terrorist attacks in North East Nigeria and continue to provide a comprehensive package of security, humanitarian and stabilisation assistance to Nigeria to help tackle the terrorist threat and support affected communities.The UN monitor the situation in Nigeria through their Nigeria team and the early warning divisions in UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. We will continue to work closely with them.

Eritrea: UN Resolutions

Baroness Goudie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to enforce UN Security Council Resolution 2023, adopted on 5 December 2011; and when that Resolution was last discussed at the UN Security Council.

Baroness Sugg: UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2023, adopted by the Security Council on 5 December 2011, for Eritrea undermining regional security in the Horn of Africa, extended sanctions against Eritrea originally imposed by UNSCR 1907 (2009). UNSCR 2444 of 14 November 2018 lifted these sanctions from Eritrea, but retained language on issues relating to relations between Eritrea and Djibouti. These issues were last discussed during negotiations on UNSCR 2498 on 15 November 2019, including the requirement for the UN Secretary General to report to the Security Council once a year.

Developing Countries: Genito-urinary Medicine

Baroness Tonge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what self-care intervention sexual and reproductive health and rights services they support in developing countries.

Baroness Sugg: The UK supports safe, accessible and affordable self-care interventions as part of our commitment to ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in developing countries. This is more important than ever given the detrimental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on accessibility of SRHR services.The UK has invested in the roll out of self-injectable contraceptives in over 35 countries through our partner UNFPA Supplies, our flagship Women's Integrated Health Programme (WISH) and FCDO's bilateral health programmes.The UK is also working with governments to increase the availability and affordability of quality-assured combi-packs for safe medical abortion in contexts where it is legal. UK funded research is helping to develop a new self-care product, a monthly vaginal ring to help reduce the risk of HIV transmission which can be administered by women themselves. And we are working with partners, including WISH, to expand the use of self-care delivery and telemedicine as part of their COVID-19 response to maintain access to vital SRHR services.

Yemen: Health

Lord Patten: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current health situation in Yemen; and how much (1) aid, and (2) medical supplies, they intend to provide to that country in the current financial year.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government is extremely concerned by the current capacity of the healthcare system in Yemen, with less than half of Yemen's health facilities functioning and almost 20 million people lacking access to basic healthcare.This situation is being exacerbated by a major outbreak of COVID-19, with UK modelling showing that a worst-case scenario could result in up to 85,000 deaths.In response, through our funding this year we expect to provide over 600,000 medical consultations, train 15,000 healthcare workers to work safely in COVID-19 environments and provide much-needed medical supplies to 600 health centres so that they can continue to deliver existing health services.

Ministry of Defence

Ammunition: Beaufort Dyke

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current condition of the munitions that were dumped into Beaufort’s Dyke in the Irish Sea by the Ministry of Defence following the end of the Second World War.

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they estimate that the process of dumping munitions in Beaufort’s Dyke stopped.

Baroness Goldie: I refer the noble Lady to the reply given by my hon. Friend, the Minister for Defence Procurement (Jeremy Quin), in the House of Commons on 2 July 2020 to the hon. Member for Ayr, Carrock and Cumnock (Allan Dorans) in response to Question number 65104. The last known at-sea disposal at Beaufort's Dyke was the emergency dumping of two cases of corroded 40mm ammunition in 1976. Historical information on the sea disposals at Beaufort's Dyke and other locations is available through The National Archives at: https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121203135425/http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/HealthandSafetyPublications/DSEA/DisposalOfMunitionsAtSea.htm The Ministry of Defence holds no additional information relating to the munitions dumped in Beaufort's Dyke. Beaufort's Dyke (docx, 14.1KB)

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Agriculture and Processed Food: Seasonal Workers

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what provision they plan to make (1) in 2021, and (2) in later years, for the recruitment of seasonal workers in (a) agriculture, (b) horticulture, and (c) food-processing.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: The Government knows how important seasonal workers are to our farmers and growers and to the food-processing sector, supporting the growth and prosperity of our farming, fisheries and food and drink sectors by helping to ensure that produce is picked and processed.In 2021 and beyond, agricultural businesses will continue to be able to rely on EU nationals living in the UK with settled or pre-settled status - around 3.5 million EU citizens and their families have been granted settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme - and there will continue to be other flexibility in the system.Defra has been encouraging the horticulture sector to employ domestic workers, which has been supported by the 'Pick for Britain' campaign this year. This was a joint Defra and industry initiative to support the recruitment of British workers to help with this year's harvest during the Covid-19 pandemic. We will take lessons from this campaign to help inform the future needs of the sector.The Seasonal Workers Pilot has operated in 2019 and 2020 and allowed the recruitment of up to 10,000 non-EEA seasonal workers this year. The Pilot will run until the end of December 2020 when the new points-based immigration system will come into force. The Pilot will be evaluated ahead of any decisions being taken on how future needs of the sector will be addressed.

Sewage: Rivers

Lord Randall of Uxbridge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of sewage discharges into watercourses in England.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: As part of their planning for River Basin Management Plans the Environment Agency have assessed the impact of sewage discharges on the water environment, along with the impact from other sectors such as Agriculture. This assessment is published on gov.uk as part of the Environment Agency’s consultation on the choices and challenges associated with third cycle River Basin Planning for the Water Framework Directive which closed on 24 September 2020. The consultation can he found here: https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/environment-and-business/challenges-and-choices/consultation There have been a number of improvements to sewage discharges over the last 25 years. For example sewage treatment works put 60% less phosphate and 70% less ammonia into the water environment than they did in 1995. The latest data from 2019 also suggests that 36% of water bodies in England are affected by pollution from sewage discharges. This assessment has been used to inform the investment planning undertaken by the water industry which will see more than £4bn of environmental improvements implemented by them over the next 5 years. Many of these improvements are targeted at improving river water quality to support fisheries and improved habitats for wildlife.

Water Abstraction

Lord Randall of Uxbridge: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the level of demand for water abstraction.

Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park: On 16 March 2020, the Environment Agency published Meeting our Future Water Needs: a National Framework for Water Resources. The report is available on GOV.UK here. This report explores England’s long term water needs, setting out the scale of action needed to ensure resilient supplies and an improved water environment.Key findings of the report show that if no action is taken between 2025 and 2050, around 3,435 million extra litres of water per day will be needed for public water supply. This includes:1,150 Ml/d to make water supplies more resilient to drought1,040 Ml/d to supply the growing population720 Ml/d to replace unsustainable abstractions and improve the environment400 Ml/d to address the impact of climate change on water availability – water companies have also allowed for 640 Ml/d in their plans to 2025 which is before the start date for this analysis

Home Office

Immigration: Enforcement

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to review (1) their policy towards, (2) the operation of, and (3) the methods used to assess the performance of, immigration enforcement; and what steps they are taking to ensure that such enforcement (a) delivers value for money, and (b) is effective.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Enforcing the UK’s immigration laws is critical to a functioning immigration system and effectively implementing the Government’s policies.As the public would expect, we continually review all of the different methods we use to prevent illegal migration, ensure compliance with the Government’s policies and enforce the UK’s immigration laws, to ensure that they are effective and deliver value for money.Many of the challenges we currently face in seeking to delivering an effective and efficient enforcement capability, in addition to logistical constraints relating to COVID 19, are due to the rigid nature of the Dublin Regulations and last-minute litigation challenges and will be addressed by the Government’s plans to deliver reform to the entire system within the Sovereign Borders Bill.

Asylum: Coronavirus

Baroness Coussins: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have toprovideinformation and advice regarding COVID-19 in languages other than English and Welsh on their asylum support webpages

Baroness Williams of Trafford: There are currently no plans to update the Asylum Support webpages with COVID-19 guidance.Guidance for COVID-19 has been translated into 60 different languages in partnership with the British Red Cross and other partners such as Migrant help and is available using the link provided: http://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/coronavirus-information/Also videos with key COVID-19 information for migrants in the UK are being released here: https://www.doctorsoftheworld.org.uk/key-covid-19-information-for-migrants/ Alternatively links to translated support and guidance can be found through our Advice, Issue Reporting and Eligibility (AIRE) provider, Migrant Help here: https://www.migranthelpuk.org/translated-support

Asylum: Coronavirus

Baroness Coussins: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to enable compliance with the rules on a maximum of six people meeting socially by asylum seekers living in reception centres or hostels which have communal facilities.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: We have worked closely with Public Health to ensure asylum accommodation providers are following relevant guidance and are supporting asylum seekers to follow Public Health guidance within the estate.Providers are applying controls to further support social distancing such as providing translated public health guidance and instruction to service users.Communal dining rooms have staggered meal times and appropriate marking to delineate social distancing. Where service users are isolating, food is placed outside of their rooms.The Home Office are working closely with accommodation providers to ensure that the new health stipulation is followed and implemented accordingly. The varying types of accommodation require different approaches, the Home Office are working closely with providers to understand the implementation of those approaches and to assure themselves that Public Health guidance is applied appropriately.During these unprecedented times the government is working with a range of partners and across departments to secure further accommodation and the MOD has offered use of some of its sitesWe have sought Public Health England/Wales advice on how we can make best use of this accommodation, working within the constraints of the configuration, whilst minimising risks from covid-19.We will follow the model which the MOD has adopted which is to continue to use the dormitories as shared rooms but to limit occupancy ensuring a minimum distance between beds of at least 2 metres. This will be complemented by a range of additional safety measures including increased cleaning of surfaces, availability of hand sanitisers, a track and trace system and extensive communications with residents around covid-19 control measures.

Refugees: Families

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the work on family reunion for refugeesby the Families Together coalition; and whathas been their response.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Government provides a safe and legal route to bring families together through its refugee family reunion policy. This allows a partner and children under 18 of those granted protection in the UK to join them here, if they formed part of the family unit before the sponsor fled their country. Under this policy, over 29,000 family reunion visas have been issued in the last 5 years.The Government is familiar with the calls for an expansion of eligible family members for the purposes of refugee family reunion. However, amending the policy without careful thought could significantly increase the numbers who could qualify to come here, not just from conflict regions but any country from which someone is granted protection. This would mean extended family being able to come here who themselves do not need protection – which risks reducing our capacity to assist the most vulnerable refugees.We also believe that if children were allowed to sponsor parents, this would risk creating incentives for more children to be encouraged, or even forced, to leave their family and risk hazardous journeys to the UK. This plays into the hands of criminal gangs who exploit vulnerable people and goes against our safeguarding responsibilities.

Asylum: Employment

Baroness Cox: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by Refugee ActionLift the ban: why giving people seeking asylum the right to work is common sense, published in July,what assessment they havemade of the potential economic benefits of removing restrictions on asylum seekers’ right to work.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Asylum seeker right to work is a complex issue and is under review; it is crucial we take the time to get this right. We are listening carefully to the arguments and considering the evidence put forward on the issue.We are aware the Lift the Ban coalition recently published a follow-up to their 2018 report and the findings of this report will be incorporated into the current review.

Cabinet Office

Trade Agreements: Japan

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any reason not to reach an agreement with the EU on state aid which uses the wording and intent evidenced in the free trade agreement reached with Japan.

Lord True: We want to reach an agreement and believe there is time to do so. We will continue to work hard to achieve it.In all our trade negotiations, including in our ongoing negotiations with the EU, we consistently make proposals which provide for open and fair competition, on the basis of high standards, in a way which is appropriate to a modern free trade agreement between sovereign and autonomous equals.

United Kingdom Internal Market Bill: Northern Ireland

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the Northern Ireland Executive regarding their approach to implementing the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom Internal Market Bill.

Lord True: We have been working closely with the Northern Ireland Executive as implementation work proceeds, including in relation to agrifood movements into Northern Ireland, and where discussions with the EU have concerned devolved issues. The Northern Ireland Executive has also been closely involved in the work of the Northern Ireland Secretary’s Business Engagement Forum. Ministers from the Northern Ireland Executive have attended meetings of the Joint Committee. This close working will continue to the end of the transition period and beyond.

Black History Month

Lord Boateng: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to commemorate Black History Month in October; which Departments, if any, are supporting specific initiatives to promote a better understanding of the contribution of Black people (1) tothe UK, and (2) to the history of the British Isles; and what is the nature of any such initiatives.

Lord True: Black History Month is an important time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Britons throughout history. Departments across Government will be recognising contemporary and past contributions in a range of ways throughout the month of October.

Department for International Trade

Type 31 Frigates

Lord Campbell of Pittenweem: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many orders have been placed by foreign governments for the Type 31e frigate.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: There have been no orders from foreign companies for the Arrowhead 140 (T31) yet. UK Defence and Security Exports is currently supporting Babcock in their campaigns to export UK built ships, as well as the sale of the design to overseas customers.

Trade Agreements

Viscount Waverley: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to involve (1) chambers of commerce, and (2) trade associations, in the implementation of their international trade policies.

Lord Grimstone of Boscobel: The Department engages with other British businesses directly and others, including Trade Associations and the British Chambers of Commerce. This will support utilisation of trade preferences and other opportunities offered by the trade agreements we are working to secure. In addition, Trade Advisory Groups (TAGs) have recently been launched, which include representation from Trade Associations and provide a blend of strategic and expert advice on trade matters.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

Government Departments: ICT

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the need to regulate the relationship between technology companies and the Government.

Baroness Barran: The Government’s approach to governing digital technologies seeks to drive growth and innovation across the UK, while ensuring the safety and security of the UK's citizens and promoting our democratic values. Our approach to governing digital technology companies will be pro-innovation, agile and proportionate and we will ensure our regulators are equipped for the digital age. This will build confidence and clarity for businesses and consumers, boost innovation and investment, and reinforce the UK’s position as a global leader in innovation-friendly regulation.